And AGAIN…Crockett Council No
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – A Crockett City Council meeting set for Monday, Oct. 7 was once again delayed due a lack of quorum, after Council Members Darrell Jones and NaTrenia Hicks were no-shows at the important meeting. Councilman Elbert Johnson had earlier let it be known he would not be able to attend as he was in Houston at the birth of his child.
The Messenger spoke to one of the prodigal council members earlier that day, who assured us they would be attending. The meeting was supposed to be a joint meeting between the city and Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation (CEIDC). CEIDC Executive Director James Gentry was present.
As if from the movie "Groundhog Day," the two council members appear to have prior engagements at the same time, and when votes are scheduled on items they do not support. While The Messenger has no evidence of any collusion or intentional absences, one must ask what the odds would be of such an attendance record, which now has delayed an important company coming to Crockett.
Once again, so-called "Project Atticus" was set to be voted on, and once again, was delayed. The project is said to bring 125 jobs to the city over the next five years. The Messenger has learned the company was set to begin operations this month, but due to council member strategic absences spanning all the way back to early October, it cannot now be said if, or when, the company might begin operations in the city.
Many have wondered why someone would run for a city council position, only to miss critical meetings, or avoid tough debates and tough votes. The tactic seems designed to induce chaos, and whether by design or not, has certainly caused chaos in city operations.
Since there are no rules about council meeting attendance and no recall allowed under the decades-old city charter, there is little concerned citizens can do, outside of the ballot box. The city is undertaking the work of updating the city's charter, but since that committee is made up of nominees from each council member, it is yet to be seen if any such initiatives will end up in a new city charter.
The missing council members also caused a delay in a critical event for the city: Christmas in Crockett. Each year, the city must petition the state of Texas to close the downtown square for the event. Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Forehan was in attendance, although unable to present the plan, due to the meeting being canceled.
"Good evening, everyone, I am so glad that you could join us, as brief as it may be," Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher said to the crowd. "At this time, we do not have a quorum and will not be having a meeting. We will reschedule it as soon as possible. I'm sorry. One of our council members – his wife is half going into labor at this moment, and he (Johnson) won't be here. And, I don't have an explanation for the other two that are not here today."
Councilmen Mike Marsh and Dennis Ivey, along with Crockett City Administrator John Angerstein let their frustration show, disappointed the city's business was once again put on hold.
The Messenger received word a new meeting would be scheduled for next week, although there was no confirmation of that as of press time.
